Topic: Dependants, base theaters, and Patton

Mark Conley · June 15th, 2009

You are probably asking to yourself, "what do these three things have in common as funny?"....

Fact one. usually all military bases have a base theater of some sort. Us kids had to go somewhere , so the adults (say mother) had a quiet time to go to the BX and Comissary on saturday and sunday. Under a certain age, one adult had to be with you...(dad usually. dads at that time couldnt buy grocerys...so they said.)

Fact two. No matter what time of day the movie showed...at the beginning of all features the american flag was shown, and the star spangled banner played. Always. no exceptions.

Fact three...You (the movie goer) was expected to stand when you saw the flag, and you rendered the correct honors ( salutes for men in uniform, or hands across the heart for us dependants). they had people at that time whose job was to watch the audience, and make you comply with the honors directive.

So here we are..at the afternoon matenee Movie... "Patton". My father was with us kids...and we got in the theater late.

Soooooo...guess what happened when that large american flag appeared? he saw it...saw that the theater wasnt doing anything...and like the good sergeant he was...politely called the base theater to attention at the top of his lungs.

remarkably...everyone got to their feet quickly (he had that kind of effect on people)...and we stayed that way until George C Scott came walking up to give that famous monolouge

...which then everyone of us kids started laughing inside. but after a look at our father, we decided to stand as long as he did.

I guess the rest of the patrons felt the same way... cause they stayed up too...till "George" gave us the "at ease" and we all sat down again.

My dad swears to this day he'd never seen the film before we walked in that day ....

Mikefrombelgium · June 16th, 2009

hahahahaha cool story :d

Sevens · June 16th, 2009

Hahahaha!!! Very cool!!!!

tomtom22 · June 16th, 2009

Great story!

5.56X45mm · June 17th, 2009

A loving story.... it's things like that that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Also Patton was in my opinion one of the most badass SOBs ever to serve in my Army. Carried a single action, slung dead mexican bandits on the fenders of his car like deer, and pretty much was a pain in everyone's ass.....

Mr.Brown · June 19th, 2009

nice story lol

senojekips · June 19th, 2009

A great story.

Loved it.

bulldogg · July 17th, 2009

Right on Mark, too good.

June 15th, 2009	Post 1
Mark Conley Tribuni Angusticlavii Gear	Post; Dependants, base theaters, and Patton You are probably asking to yourself, "what do these three things have in common as funny?".... Fact one. usually all military bases have a base theater of some sort. Us kids had to go somewhere , so the adults (say mother) had a quiet time to go to the BX and Comissary on saturday and sunday. Under a certain age, one adult had to be with you...(dad usually. dads at that time couldnt buy grocerys...so they said.) Fact two. No matter what time of day the movie showed...at the beginning of all features the american flag was shown, and the star spangled banner played. Always. no exceptions. Fact three...You (the movie goer) was expected to stand when you saw the flag, and you rendered the correct honors ( salutes for men in uniform, or hands across the heart for us dependants). they had people at that time whose job was to watch the audience, and make you comply with the honors directive. So here we are..at the afternoon matenee Movie... "Patton". My father was with us kids...and we got in the theater late. Soooooo...guess what happened when that large american flag appeared? he saw it...saw that the theater wasnt doing anything...and like the good sergeant he was...politely called the base theater to attention at the top of his lungs. remarkably...everyone got to their feet quickly (he had that kind of effect on people)...and we stayed that way until George C Scott came walking up to give that famous monolouge ...which then everyone of us kids started laughing inside. but after a look at our father, we decided to stand as long as he did. I guess the rest of the patrons felt the same way... cause they stayed up too...till "George" gave us the "at ease" and we all sat down again. My dad swears to this day he'd never seen the film before we walked in that day .... __________________ “If we should have to fight, we should be prepared to do so from the neck up instead of from the neck down.”— General James H. Doolittle, USAAF

June 16th, 2009	Post 3
Sevens Forum Brat Gear	Hahahaha!!! Very cool!!!! __________________ After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F. Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

June 16th, 2009	Post 4
tomtom22 Chief Engineer Gear	Great story! __________________ "It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." - Norman Schwarskopf, Commander of Desert Storm Operations

June 19th, 2009	Post 6
Mr.Brown Centurion Gear	nice story lol __________________ God is watching over us for he has given us soldiers.

June 19th, 2009	Post 7
senojekips Legatus Legionis	A great story. Loved it. __________________ "Those with ulterior motives may tell you what you wish to hear, but a real friend tells you what you need to know"

June 16th, 2009	Post 2
Mikefrombelgium Primus Pilus Gear	hahahahaha cool story :d

June 17th, 2009	Post 5
5.56X45mm 100% Space Shuttle Door Gunner Gear	A loving story.... it's things like that that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Also Patton was in my opinion one of the most badass SOBs ever to serve in my Army. Carried a single action, slung dead mexican bandits on the fenders of his car like deer, and pretty much was a pain in everyone's ass.....

July 17th, 2009	Post 8
bulldogg Milforum's Bouncer Gear	Right on Mark, too good. __________________ "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." - John Steinbeck

Topic: Dependants, base theaters, and Patton

Post; Dependants, base theaters, and Patton